Research Role Profile

Job Title: / Research Assistant (1B)
Responsible to: / Principal investigator/Director ICE Observatory
Responsible for: / There is no direct supervisory responsibility

Job Summary and Purpose:

To support research activity in accordance withspecified research projects under the supervision of the principal investigator

Main Responsibilities/Activities

To support a research team by contributing to the planning of research projects and undertaking prescribed research tasks in accordance with specified research projects, making use of standard research techniques and methods. These may include fieldwork, interviews, computer-based data analysis or library research as directed by the research award holder and will entail co-ordinating own work with that of others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort. Analysing and interpreting results under the guidance of research award holder or supervisor. Write up results and contribute to the preparation of papers for submission to appropriate journals and conferences, and other outputs as required and/or appropriate. Attend appropriate conferences for the purpose of disseminating research results of personal development.
Continually update knowledge and develop skills
To carry out routine administrative tasks associated with specified research projects, for example risk assessment of research tasks, organisation of project meetings and documentation. This will entail planning own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed programme, dealing with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines and implementing procedures required to ensure accurate and timely formal reporting and financial control

Demonstrating, or occasionally assistingwith undergraduate supervision within the post holder’s area of expertise and under the direct guidance of a member of the Faculty academic staff.

Person Specification
The post holder must have:
A first degree or a professional qualification or equivalent in a relevant subject.

At least part-completed a relevant postgraduate degree or have relevant experience in a given field.

Whilst there is no requirement for previous work experience, the post holder will be expected to be able to support research activities and/or undertaking studies and analysing/ interpreting results. Experience of health and social care would be advantageous.

Relationships and Contacts

Direct responsibility to the principal investigator/director of ICE Observatory.

Special Requirements
To be available to participate in fieldwork as required by the specified research project.

All staff are expected to:

  • Positively support equality of opportunity and equity of treatment to colleagues and students in accordance with the University of Surrey Equal Opportunities policy.
  • Help maintain a safe working environment by:

-Attending training in Health and Safety requirements as necessary, both on appointment and as changes in duties and techniques demand

-Following local codes of safe working practices and the University of Surrey Health and Safety Policy

  • Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by your Manager.

Research Role Profile Addendum

Job Title: / Research Assistant– Dementia.
HE KSS Time for Dementia Project
Responsible to: / Principal Investigator
Responsible for: / There is no direct supervisory responsibility

Job Summary and Purpose

Funded by Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex (HEKSS) - ‘Time for Dementia’ is an innovative educational initiative that aims to engage and develop undergraduate students’ understanding of dementia and long term conditions and enhance undergraduate curricula to help cultivate a positive culture and perception of dementia, long term conditions, older people and family carers. The initiative is being delivered as a partnership with Brighton and Sussex Medical School and the Alzheimer’s Society and will be located within the University of Surrey.
The post-holder will be expected to work closely with the University of Brighton and Sussex Medical School; the Alzheimer’s Society and liaise with colleagues in the university and within health and social care organisations.

Main Responsibilities/Activities

This information sheet should be read in conjunction with the accompanying generic Research Officer/Research Administrator (RA 1B) Role Profile and will be used for shortlisting processes. More specifically the post holder will be expected to:
The post holder will be expected to be able to support research activities relating to health and social care ethics by undertaking studies involving both qualitative and quantitative methods, analysing/ interpreting results and dissemination of research findings. They will also be expected to contribute to the project management of the study. In addition, they will expected to:
  • Co-ordinate all the remote activities of the project in different care settings: supporting recruitment, screening for study eligibility and liaising with partners in health and social care
  • Assist with research studies, including data entry and data checking
  • Provide regular progress updates at research project meetings
  • Contribute to dissemination of research results from the project at national meetings and in research publications
  • Planning own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed programme
The research assistant will be expected to:
  1. Research
1.1Assist in the conduct of the Time for Dementia study within the Centre for Dementia Studies.
  • Contribute to the planning of the evaluation.
  • Undertake research by preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of fieldwork, development of questionnaires and conducting surveys
  • Conduct literature and database searches.
  • Liaise with research colleagues and support staff on routine matters.
  • Present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research under the supervision of experienced researchers.
  • Plan own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed programme.
  • Develop further skills in and knowledge of research methods and techniques.
  • Co-ordinate own work with that of others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
1.2Set up appointments and telephone calls and co-ordinate arrangements for students and patients/carers involved in the TFD programme:
  • Organise Interviews
  • Consent and interview participants with research fellow
  • Arrange follow up interviews
  • Complete follow up interviews
1.3Enter data and manage datasets. Clean and summarise data.
1.4 Contribute to writing of reports and other dissemination activities under the supervision of experienced researchers.
1.5The post-holder is expected to assist with aspects of research administration including:
  • application for ethical approval
  • ensuring compliance with data protection legislation.
  • Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
2General
  • Ensure the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate and appropriate research patient records, including strict confidentiality.
  • Attend departmental and other meetings as appropriate.
  • As duties and responsibilities change, the job description may be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post-holder.
  • The postholder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line managers.
  • This Job Description sets out current duties of the post that may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or level of responsibility entailed.
3Contribution to School & University
  • Attend and contribute to relevant School and project meetings.
  • Undertake additional duties, as required by the Principal Investigator and/or Head of School.
4Role-specific duties
The HEKSS Time for Dementia (TFD) Programme
The Research Worker will work according the project plan which is as follows:
(i)To develop the structure and content of TFD, a LC programme in dementia suitable for delivery within the undergraduate curricula for the training of nurses, doctor and allied health professionals.
(ii)To deliver TFD to a cohort of nursing students within the School of Nursing at US and medical students at BSMS.
(iii)To evaluate TFD using a mixed methods approach in terms of process and its impact on student knowledge, understanding, attitudes and behaviours towards dementia, people with long term conditions, other health and social care professionals and family carers.
(iv)To generate an evidenced TFD model to enable its implementation (including costs) in other centres.
Method
The research worker will be expected to:
Collaborate with other health services and biomedical researchers within the Centre for Dementia Studies, the Medical School and in Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The postholder should be able to work closely and co-operatively with other researchers and clinicians.
Assist with aspects of research administration including application for ethical approval of new studies and ensuring compliance with data protection legislation.
Act as an independent agent in setting up appointments and telephone calls and in the general co-ordination of arrangements for research subjects and patients/carers involved in clinical studies.
Person Specification
In addition to the criteria outlined in the accompanying generic Research Officer/Research Assistant Role Profile, the post holder should have (E = Essential; D = Desirable):
  • A first degree or a professional qualification or equivalent in a relevant subject (E)
  • At least part-completed an MSc (D).
  • Experience of health and social care research (E)
  • Experience of workforce and/or service user and family perspectives (D)
  • Good communication skills (E)
  • Knowledge of SPSS, Excel and data entry techniques (D)
  • Good organisational and administration skills (E)
  • Interested in developing research skills (E)
  • Experience of website management and social media engagement (D)
  • Previous experience in conducting clinical research, particularly if relevant to older people, people with dementia or mental health services, is highly desirable

Special Requirements
To be available to participate in fieldwork as required by the specified research project.
In addition, the post holder will be required to have a DBS check

Research Officer 1B_v4.doc